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He’s either really tough, really dumb, or both!

Former AFC Middleweight Champion Steve ‘The Steamrolla’ Kennedy will make his long awaited and much anticipated return to the AFC on April 7 when he battles Muay Thai sensation Arben Escayo at AFC 22. Known for handing out genuine ass whooping’s and delivering memorable promos, Steve is excited to be back on the AFC as he recommences his journey towards mixed martial arts superstardom.

Steve hasn’t fought in the AFC since mid 2014, and since that appearance he has reached new heights at an international MMA level. Never short of confidence and a cheeky one liner, it would appear that Steve is excited to be back fighting on Australia’s #1 MMA promotion:

“Yes absolutely AFC always puts on a killer show especially when I’m on it!!!”

During Steve’s first run in the AFC, not only did he dominate divisions and capture AFC Gold at will, he also became the ‘Chael Sonnen’ of the promotion by way of delivering brutal promos. Even though it’s been 3 years, it’s pretty safe to say the Steamrolla’s ‘smack talk’ has only got better:

“In my absence I have refined my smack talking to a new level!!! My microphone skills are second to none! I’m a lot worse at fighting these days but definitely still able to wind people up!”

Steve’s first AFC run was monumentally successful, and post that run he entered himself into the international MMA scene in an endeavour to take over the world of mixed martial arts. Steve’s journey back to the AFC has definitely been colourful and filled with great experiences:

“Everyone half decent got signed to the UFC or retired leaving me the number 1 spot! No seriously I love to compete and I live MMA I think any success I have had comes as a by product of me enjoying the training and the fighting!!”

As part of Steve’s international MMA exposure, he signed a contract to fight in the UFC. Entering with great hype and expectation, the UFC experience was definitely one of learning, with some handy side benefits of course:

“I experienced 2 losses in the UFC, one on 9 days notice. In that time I learnt that miracles do happen… and they happened for my opponents!!! But also had some great times on the road with my coaches and training partners and got lots of free stuff…”

Steve’s return to the AFC will see him take on Philippino sensation Arben Escayo. Arben has amassed an impressive Muay Thai record that includes 36 wins from 42 fights with a bag full of KO’s. He has also amassed an impressive record in mixed martial arts and will no doubt prove to be an incredibly tough opponent for Steve. However, from Steve’s perspective he’s a bui baffled as to why Arben would want to fight him?

“Arben agreed to fight me so that’s all I care about. He’s either really tough, or really dumb, or both”

During his MMA career, Steve is notorious for really having no holes in his game and is considered one of the more well rounded martial artists in the sport. On that basis, Steve could potentially hold the advantage over his opponent in numerous areas, however not surprisingly; Steve has taking a relatively relaxed viewpoint when it comes to his opponents’ chances:

“I think he is better than me at striking and grappling but I’m hoping to catch him with something lucky”

Whilst continuing to complete, Steve has also spent an abundant amount of time building a world class MMA training facility in Perth WA. The aptly named ‘Kickass MMA’ gym is quickly gaining recognition at an international level, and this facility will also be Steve’s home as he prepares for all that Arben will bring on April 7:

“I train at my gym KICKASS MMA in Morley Western Australia. I don’t have coaches anymore I have training partners but they hold me accountable and make sure I work hard”

So on April 7, the journey begins once again. One of Australia’s most talented martial artists will fight in front of a ruckus crowd in Melbourne as he looks to re-establish himself as a serious contender in the AFC Welterweight Division. With a hostile takeover on his mind, it would be reasonable to think that Steve will have one eye on the Main Event between Theo Christakos and Anton Zafir in which a new Welterweight Champion will be crowned. His observation of the fight will be dependant on ‘one critical’ condition:

“Only if I can see the fight from the bar. I can see them both deliberately trying to lose this fight to avoid an ass whopping by the Steamrolla”